New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-11
CHAT WITH PUBLIC MEN.
"REMINISCENCES AND CURRENT COMMENT

l. ~
"REMINISCENCES AND CURRENT COMMENT,
The heir OF Macmillan l. OF Mexico. who recently
went to Newport to show his shapely form in the
aristocratic hroag at that watering place, has the
full namo and title Of Prince Augustine lturbide He
is a grandson of the first Emperor lturbde,
and was himself recognized as Heir Presump-
tive by Macmillan His father was a Mexi-
diplomat and at ono time an attsche
of the Mexican Legation at Washington. where
he and married the Princes mo her. She Miss
Green, the granddaughter OF Governor of Mary
land. He less than i've years old when Max
milan az shot and in the turbulence of the hour in
Mexico might have been himself murdered but for the
interference of the American State Department.
His presence in New-York revived q story that
is told of the late General James b. Stcedman, OF
Ohio to whom a fine monument was recently erected
by his old comrades at Toledo. Genera! Steedman
was Collector al New-Orleans. lie was so intimate
with President Andrew Johnson TO whom he owed his
appointment that he sometimes called the
Premier OF the Kitchen Cabinet. When Macmillan
was captured at QGeretaro by the troops OF General
Juarcz, an effort set on foot at Washington to
save his nte Several prominent public men we're
requested to undertake mission extraordinary 10
Mexico tor this object In despair at finding no one
willing To take tho mission President johnson tele-
graphed to SteedmaD OF New-Orleans feeling ,ertan
that the chvairy and courage OF the man we're ade
qulte the tax of entering country upset by revo-
and full armed men. danger on account OF
their tutthroat procliyties to either friend or toe
One thing the President had not counted upon which
was Steedman's thorough Americanism intense
democracy and deep hatred OF anything arisocTatlc
or nIonarchIcai The answer OF General Steedmin TO
the President couobeh in language something to
this effect: 4" obliged TO stand helplessy by
while NV iorernment refused to interfere to prevent
the murder OF General Walker and his brave comrades
IN Nicaragua. and | must therefore respectfully de.
cline to risk my lie for this royal foreign freebooter
General George a. Sheridan. of Louisiana, relates
this story about Steedman " Steednan came to mo
once in the Fifth Avenue Hotel and asked me for
loan OF $50. Il was when had moro money than
have now, and went oyor 10 the cashier and got him
the cash. IL struck INC "a queer that no shoud De 10
need OF that amount OF money, Tor nc was stu Col
lee Tor at New Orleans. However he could have had
$500 ~ readily $50 so long a. had IT, He was
The Kind OF could share his last crust win,
and he hal saved my lie once on time But when
came to hand him tho money he hesitated BIT ana
then said George you may never get TINS back, III
harder hit than YOU know Nv reply was 1t ali
goes Jiu and whether ever see from you or not is
wholly INN lterial 30 me- Then he s0ok iron his
pocket letter from the Secretary OF the Treasury
notifying hun in set terms that bis account as Col
lector showed balances due the Government amount
ing to nearly 900 900 with the pain and imperative
demand Tor payment by check by rctarn mai or the
Secretary would draw nj sight IL took my breath
away well, was all could say. When he TOOK out
of his pocket and showed his REF ~, mlied that
afternoon remember thinking 1t Was "a cool rs the
ueneral himself was reputed to be IN danger. ~
snpiy said his superior officer that be had no pank
account and that IL the Government would draw on
him ri Int any other period II would 40 so ~ tue
expense o di .honored draft There was no attempt
at explanation cOnceamenf evasion or apology ie
simply laid down his hand face up lIemember
thin ing tina. like that ought to have pat the
balances in his favor instead OF against MN DeleIs
his acc we're settled. lie had influence ~
Washington and was never prosecuted
asked General Sheridan TO tell me about General
Stssdman saving his lite AMI he responded rs foows
IL occurred in Louisiana while Steedman was Col
lector. He a Democrat you know. was n no
publcan-red-hot aud CORY, too JOINT discnssion
was proposed and arranged between Sieedinaa anu
myself He had the first speech. Thea got up 70
rcply and l did reply, you can BET mhdr 'he"
suoh IA Republican speech tore their yitals out
The crowd began to disturb and finally revolVers
were drawn and men objected to my uttering sucn
sentiments in that implied their perfect VIKING
meas TO murder expected every moment 70 %
plugged by a bullet Gentlemen, said i came
here TO make a Republican speech. You can shoot
me- out you will hear Republican speech or nothing
There were dozen reyolyers leveled AZ me after ths
defiance, when | felt q pressure on nv rghI Suo.
There, toserine up above me, was NV o lad a
abl.ze with excitement aud indg nation. ie nan =
| cooked revolver tn each hand. Where he got them
don't know. Yes you can shoot ne soien ~ 20 ,no
dead men the minute that sho u fired, and rs many
| mole as | have time 10 drop before you drop me.
| came down here with gentleman foI loint debate
| before gentlemen. I've had my say. Now my al
,aqonist shall have his ssy by the Eternal. or yon u
| xiii me as well ~ him.. Then he turned round 10 9
and said now George, give 'em blnzes Shile !
| watch 'em to they dcnt shoot WASH aus
| turbed again in my speech. Eut they wouid nave
| shot me like dog but Tor Steedman"
| The characterization on the great lakes Ia becoming
very important and rapidly iucreas factor in tho
commercial business OF the country owing especiay
TO the rapid development of the mine al resources OF
| the Northwestern country. ii. 5. benjamin. OF m''
| vsukee observed the other day Vessel owners
| on the upper lakes have been able to command neil
own prices during the last There was such an
abundance of freight aud such scarcity OF tonnage
| that they had mine owners at their mercy men "ho
bought ship last spring to engage IN tue .,
iron ore could the mno by this fall. Ihey nave
been taking dollar a ton out OF the mines LOT ORC
shipments which belonged To the owners o. the mhes,
and tins dollar ton clear added proht on top OF
the SO per cent that ship men have been making IN
| previous years their investments lhere VIII D.
come change next season. because sever" iAtsc ino'
OF steamships are being projected Tor this trade.
| Tho .nres;dent of the Wisconsin Central Railroad.
Charles L. Colby, IL in ~ poarance strikingiy hko
the late John Kelly. tbs cose-cut HAIR ana whskers
| are n grayish black. whore Mr. Kcllys we're sahay'
aud he is smaller in physique. but his facial expression
remarkably close to that oil the dead leader Oh
| many Mr. Colby lives in Milwaukee. and Is one OF
the keen business OF the Northwest in the deve-
| opmcnt of which he has accumulated large fortune
although probably less than fifty years Of age Under
his man agement the Wisconsin Contra! road acquired
an extensive holding of property on the Gogeblc IRON
range, which has been a large source OF ireigh
| revenue Mr.. Colby says tbst the road ma
taken 900 600 tons OF ore out that region this year
In talking about other lines of rarpad gushing into
| northern Michigan and Wisconsin which might De
| come competitive, he said with laughing content
| mani don't know what they expect to do in tn,
iron region There il no business for them there. II
is ali taken up now. There was time when otne.
| roads could have bought properties and developed
| bnainess as we did, but that day has gone by"
| Dressmakers' bills are not or the kind OF fnancia
op .ration in which ono would expect to una al OK
/ Secretary of the treasury m expert even inter